HOW TO MAKE A DOG A GOOD GUARD DOG - Page 5

Laura, when I picked Oliver up, it was the same thing, his parents were frightening and I do not say that easily... I was so intent on having a GSD puppy that I was taking him, no matter the warning signs. Oliver was a lot of work in the beginning, I had to be much more on top of everything I did and everything I let him do, I probably was in over my head but too dumb and hard headed to know it. Our first 8 months together were very hard but in the end, he has been great, yes recently I was reminded that I need to be aware of my dog's body language but that situation was set up by the trainer to see his response... oops. To me, Senta sounds like a great dog with the appropriate reactions.

Dogs, key off the handler a lot, Even young police k9 handlers some times with alert their dog just off their reaction to things. Body even produces chemicals that dog can detect. Jim can comment better than I can on that.
Hank

Hank, I can't speak to others situations and I'm sure Jim and others have forgotten more than I know, but when I brought my dog home, you're 100% right he was cueing off of me. I was a complete nerve bag, lol, a lady had a come to Jesus talk with me so that in our first 8 months it was about ME way more than him. The trainers I tried said to put him down, he was no good. I had to work on my confidence and his trust in me, so when I realized I could handle him and I stopped worrying all the time, he became a dog that could be trusted and it's been pretty smooth since then. It just took me a few months to have the light bulb come on and figure out how I should be feeling at the end of his leash... sometimes I'm a little slow

     clee27....: )

       Your last post could have be written by me...That sounds like me and Prince described perfectly....I would love to hear about the situation the trainer set up?????.....I am still working on my nerves too lol.....Sounds like you have been progressing nicely...Good for you...: )



   Deanna...: )
      

I think this is the thread where Jennifer describes Oliver's interaction with his new trainer ("Nailed the trainer").

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read?mnr=483370

Deanna, Laura is right... thanks Laura. I just can't stop laughing about Ruddy Buddy, love love love your sense of humor! Deanna, basically the trainer said he thought because I take my dog everywhere and I'm confident in his behavior, he figured my concern about throwing him into a class with was silly and that I didn't understand my dog, that I was attributing things to him that weren't there. He admitted he made a mistake in how he handled it and was lucky he didn't get hurt by what he did. We've gone back to business as usual and the only time my dog acts on edge is near this trainer... in our regular life he's indifferent to people and animals, very relaxed, very tolerant of people and their strange behavior, lol.

 clee27...Yes. I remember that thread and I just reread it again....

    What is your dogs pedigree?....

I don't know Deanna, I never submitted his paperwork, and we've moved 4 times since I got him. I can remember his parents name and the kennel but never found anything on here. If I remember correctly he's American lines though. I knew would never breed him so I figured that I didn't need to submit the paperwork. He did not come from a great place but I don't want to bash anyone publicly.

a fearful handler can produce fear in a confidant dog just curious? while a confidant handler can make a fearful dog couragous?